Running a small business can sometimes leave you wondering what you have to do to get customers through the door. Marketing your businesses effectively is a difficult and specialist task, and not everyone has the extra time or resources it demands. But by setting just a few hours aside to plan, you can develop your own advertising strategy. Here are five simple and cost-effective ways to advertise your business and get new customers through the door.

Be Vocal

Word of mouth is a great advertising tool, and your mouth counts too. Make sure you mention your business when talking to people or visiting suppliers, or even just getting coffee on a break. The more people know about your business, the more people are going to use it. Find ways to bring your business into the conversation when interacting with just about anyone. People like to talk, so why not get the conversation started?

Be Visible

Some businesses make the mistake of having poor signage on their storefront. If it is possible for someone to look for your business and walk right past it, you are probably doing something wrong. It is also important, however, to not go too far in the other direction. Garish and loud color schemes will often deter a passer-by and not welcome them in. Find a way to be subtle but effective.

Use Social Media

Since its beginnings just a few years ago, social media has now blossomed into an excellent advertising tool. You can advertise your business and give yourself a web-presence on sites like Facebook, and if videos and pictures help sell your product then YouTube and Instagram are two perfect advertising venues for your business. If you go viral, you can sit back and let the customers come to you.

Hire a Specialist

Getting help from an advertising firm is not as expensive as it once was. There are many firms eager to work with small businesses to help refine their style and strategies. If you can find an advertising firm that offers the latest online marketing methods, and a history of successful advertising campaigns, you may find the right specialist help at a reasonable price.

Sponsor a Local Event

A great way to get known in your neighborhood quickly is to sponsor a local event or exhibition. If you can personally represent your company there, all the better. Even if your company doesn’t have a product to offer at an event, if you are an accountant, for instance, you could hire a small food cart to serve refreshments on your behalf or run a balloon stand with your company’s brand and location incorporated into the design.

There are many ways to advertise a small business, but it can be difficult to find the right approach without help or guidance. With these simple ideas, you can take the initiative yourself and start reaching out to potential customers with your own advertising and marketing strategies.